This school could be, really, whatever the community wanted it to be.

Ms Sawyer has been appointed to shape and help plan the school as its foundation principal. Two weeks into the job, based in an office at nearby Alfredton primary, Ms Sawyer made the move from Ballarat North Primary School where she finished as principal at the end of last term.

It is a new challenge for Ms Sawyer, to craft a school from scratch set to open for term one next year.

"That's very exciting. We're able to hand-pick our staff and set that culture we want for our school, make it our own from the start," Ms Sawyer said.

"We've got lots of ideas already developing that vibrant, inclusive learning environment with high-quality learning spaces where all our students can achieve their best...I'm certainly very honoured and privileged to lead development of the new school."

Ms Sawyer had her first tour of the $17.1 million school site on Thursday morning with Wendouree state MP Juliana Addison.

Classroom construction, under building company ADCO, is on schedule with excavation for what will be outdoor hardcourts adjacent to a new community oval.

Enrolments will open soon for pupils in grades prep to six. The school will have an estimated capacity of 475 pupils and aims to alleviate pressure on neighbouring schools in city's west.

Ms Addison said prospective parents had already been contacting her office seeking details and a school was a key topic when speaking with voters in the area ahead of last year's state election.

Personally, Ms Addison started prep in the year St Thomas More School opened in Alfredton and said it was special, as a pupil, to be part of a new developing school that was now at the heart of a community.

"This new school is going to transform this community we have got such incredible growth across (areas like) Alfredton West, Lucas and Ballymanus. We've got so many families wanting to move in here and experience the best of life in Ballarat," Ms Addison said.

"We know in new property developments people who are looking to build their dream home are looking to the future, so it's very important we can say to these families you will have the most wonderful teaching and learning facilities available close to home."

A public vote to name the school - either Lucas Primary School or Mullawallah Primary School - remains open until Friday. Mullawallah was a Wadawarrung, well known in the area. An indigenous elder, he was also known as William Wilson or "King Billy" and lived in the area during the late 19th century.

The primary school in Lucas is one of eight state schools under construction this year and the only one in regional Victoria.

Have your say on the school name at engage.vic.gov.au.

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